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Time of India
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sonodyne Sama 5000 review: Simple, effective, and reasonably priced
Last week, I found myself turning on subtitles for a full-blown action movie that has so many dialogues that I couldn't care less about them. No, I wasn't trying to be considerate to sleeping neighbours, but because I genuinely couldn't make out what the characters were saying through my TV's built-in speakers—all I could hear were explosions, and nothing of the actual conversation. Welcome to the modern television experience: gorgeous picture, terrible sound, and the constant choice between annoying your neighbours or missing half the movie. So here I am, testing yet another soundbar yet another soundbar that promises to fix what TV manufacturers seemingly refuse to address. Sonodyne, better known for their professional studio monitors, has taken a swing at the living room with its ₹24,999 Sama 5000 soundbar that promises to deliver 'cinematic sound.' The real question isn't whether it's better than your TV speakers – that bar is buried underground – but whether it's worth the space under your television. The cynic in me expects disappointment. The optimist hopes to finally hear what everyone's been mumbling about for the past few years. Built to blend, not boast First impressions matter, and the Sama 5000 makes a good one by basically disappearing. At 35 inches wide, it fits neatly under my 43-inch TV without that awkward overhang you get with some bars. More importantly, at just under 3 inches tall, it doesn't block my TV remote – a small miracle in soundbar design. The matte black finish looks appropriately serious without being flashy, and there's actual weight to the thing when you pick it up. At 3.2kg, it feels substantial rather than hollow, which is reassuring when you're spending this much money. The touch controls on top work as advertised, though I found myself using the included remote more often than expected – partly because the controls are positioned just awkwardly enough that you can't reach them without leaning forward. Here's where things get interesting: the wireless subwoofer feels like it came from a different product entirely. While the main bar exudes quality, the sub feels surprisingly light and plasticky. Tap it with your knuckles and you get that hollow sound that suggests cost-cutting measures. It's not terrible, just noticeably cheaper than its partner. At least it's compact enough to tuck away without dominating your floor space. Setup that actually makes sense I'll admit it: I was prepared for the usual soundbar setup nightmare. Account creation, app downloads, firmware updates, mysterious pairing rituals – the whole modern tech experience. Instead, the Sama 5000 keeps thing simple: it just worked. Plug in both units, connect one HDMI cable to your TV's eARC port, and you're done. The subwoofer paired itself to the main bar without any button-pressing ceremonies or cryptic LED sequences. This simplicity extends to daily use. The remote has exactly what you need and nothing more: three sound modes (music, movie, voice), volume controls, and a dedicated subwoofer level adjustment that proves invaluable when your downstairs neighbour starts banging on the ceiling. There's also a one-touch Dolby Atmos button, though I found its effectiveness varies wildly depending on what you're watching. Connection options cover the basics without overwhelming anyone. Both HDMI in/out are there, optical and aux inputs catch older devices, and Bluetooth 5.4 pairs quickly with phones. The limitation is that single HDMI input – if you've got multiple gaming consoles or streaming devices, you'll be doing some cable juggling. Not a deal-breaker, just mildly annoying in the modern living room. The sound of balance Fire up the Sama 5000 and the difference is immediately apparent. Even something as mundane as news fills the room with clear, present dialogue that doesn't require straining to hear. The three drivers in the main unit handle left, center, and right channels with reasonable clarity, making dialogue easier to follow without having to crank the volume quite as high. There's a sense of fullness to the sound that wasn't there before – voices have body, music has layers, and sound effects carry more weight than the thin output your TV manages on its own. Here's where the Sama 5000 shows its professional audio heritage: dialogue stays anchored to the screen where it belongs, with a clarity that makes conversations feel more natural and present. No more voices floating mysteriously around the room or getting lost when explosions kick in during action sequences. The center channel does its job properly, maintaining vocal intelligibility even when the 6.5-inch subwoofer adds that low-end rumble that modern content seems to demand. This becomes especially valuable with streaming content, where audio compression often turns conversations into incomprehensible mush, but the Sama 5000 manages to extract clarity from even heavily compressed sources. The Dolby Atmos processing works harder than physics should allow from a 3.1 setup. No, it can't create genuine overhead effects – that requires actual ceiling speakers – but the DSP does expand the soundstage convincingly beyond the bar's physical footprint. Action scenes gain space and movement that draws you deeper into whatever you're watching, though it's more about width than true surround immersion. Music reveals both the system's strengths and its personality. High-quality files showcase decent detail and instrument separation, creating that "cloud of sound" effect that makes background listening genuinely pleasant. But the Sama 5000 clearly has preferences – it's tuned for movies first, with music as a capable but secondary consideration. The subwoofer adds genuine low-end weight without overwhelming everything else, though push the volume too high and you'll hear the DSP working overtime to prevent distortion. Better to stay a few notches below maximum for clean performance. Those three sound modes actually make meaningful differences. Movie mode embraces the big, dramatic presentation with boosted bass and treble. Music mode offers better balance for stereo content. Voice mode brightens the midrange for clearer dialogue in older shows or live broadcasts. You'll find yourself switching between them more than expected, which either shows thoughtful tuning or reveals the system's limitations, depending on your perspective. The bottom line So back to that original question: is the Sama 5000 worth the space under your television? The answer is yes, with some important caveats. It solves the fundamental problem of terrible TV audio without creating new headaches in the process. Dialogue becomes clear enough that you won't need subtitles anymore, and the overall sound quality feels appropriate for its price. The setup simplicity is genuinely refreshing in a world of overcomplicated tech products. Of course, it's not without its compromises. Conservative volume levels, single HDMI input, and Dolby Atmos that's more about width than genuine overhead immersion remind you this is a mid-range product with mid-range limitations. The sound is competent rather than spectacular – good enough to make your evening viewing more enjoyable without fundamentally changing how you experience movies or music. For most people dealing with the daily frustration of inaudible dialogue, that's exactly what they need. 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Business Insider
01-08-2025
- Business Insider
We put Samsung's Q990F soundbar to the test, and it wowed our audio expert with powerful Dolby Atmos immersion
If you're looking for a complete home theater in a box, the Samsung HW-Q990F is an excellent place to start. Instead of fussing with big tower speakers, lots of wires, and an AV receiver, this package offers a much more manageable audio solution with a soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two wireless rear speakers. Not only does the Q990F simplify listening, but it offers an impressive 11.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos experience with a big cinematic punch. I've been reviewing and obsessing over audio products for more than a decade, and this system delivers on its promise. The number of features and level of performance packed into the Q990F are remarkable. And though I'm a big fan of powerful single-unit soundbar models, like the Sonos Arc Ultra, there's something nice about getting all the components you need for a true surround sound experience in one box. That said, it's key to remember that several previous-generation versions of the Q990F are still available for less money. Compared to the older Q990C and Q990D, the Q990F doesn't rock the boat. The biggest difference is the Q990F's switch to a more compact sealed subwoofer, which is easier to place while still offering plenty of rumble. It also carries over HDMI 2.1 support, which was first introduced on the Q990D last year. Though the new sub's design is cool, those older models remain a great value for people who don't mind a larger subwoofer. Setting up the Q990F is a piece of cake The Q990F goes from box to home theater speaker system in record time. The package comes with the soundbar unit, one subwoofer, two rear speakers, power cables, two optional mounting brackets for the rears, a remote control, and an HDMI cable. The hardest part of the setup was lugging the hefty, 16-pound soundbar to my media console. At first glance, the rear speakers don't have many distinguishing features, but it's easy enough to figure out that the metal mesh side faces inward, directing the sound toward the listener. The subwoofer has exposed drivers on either side and can be placed anywhere in the room, though a corner is ideal for its lower frequencies. While the rear speakers and subwoofer connect wirelessly to the soundbar, each component still needs to be plugged into a power outlet. If you've bought a Samsung TV within the last few years (2022 and newer), you can connect the Q990F soundbar to your display wirelessly with full Dolby Atmos support. Otherwise, there's an eARC HDMI port on the bottom of the soundbar for wired connectivity to any TV with HDMI. There's also an optical port for older TVs, but that kind of connection won't offer high-bandwidth sound quality or Dolby Atmos playback. I don't love that the ports are on the bottom of the soundbar, which makes them a pain to access, but you shouldn't need to fiddle around with them too much after your initial setup. The soundbar also has two handy HDMI 2.1 passthrough ports. These connections can be used to pair a media device, like a streaming player or gaming console, to the soundbar and pass its video to your TV. Since they're version 2.1, these ports offer full support for sending 4K/120Hz signals, which is ideal if you want to pass video from a PS5 or Xbox Series X system. A time-tested design with a few small tweaks The Q990F is the latest iteration in Samsung's long-running Q9 series of flagship soundbars, and it sticks closely to the same general design the brand has used in its last few generations. This year's model is a different shade of black that looks like a dark gray to my eyes. And although the soundbar remains nearly identical in size to previous versions, it's worth noting that the bar is big. At 48.5 inches wide, 2.8 inches high, and 5.4 inches deep, the Q990F is longer, wider, and taller than the Sonos Arc Ultra, for instance. It's also heavier. Packed inside the main soundbar are 15 drivers. That includes two up-firing and four side-firing ones to bounce sound around and above the listening area. The rear speakers also have up- and side-firing drivers to enhance their Dolby Atmos capabilities. I didn't find the rears too obtrusive in size, but I wouldn't want them any bigger. They each measure around 7.5 inches tall and 5.5 inches deep. Coated in the same dark gray color, they aren't particularly attractive decor, as I was told by my wife. They're straight out of the corporate collection, but they get the job done. While the system is designed well overall, I have one gripe with the soundbar's integrated text display, which is hidden behind its plastic grille. It's so small that it needs to scroll a bunch to display any settings, modes, or messages it tries to convey. This was also the case on older Q990 models, but this choice is increasingly outdated. So, while you can change settings on the soundbar using the remote control, I would recommend using the Samsung SmartThings mobile app instead. This app is used for all Samsung devices and is not purpose-built for home theater stuff, but it works well. My only complaint is that it doesn't display the current audio format that the soundbar is playing. That kind of information is useful if you want to confirm whether your system is properly receiving Dolby Atmos or other high-quality audio signals. As it stands, there's no way to see this in SmartThings. For people interested, this information is obtainable on the tiny, scrolling soundbar display if you press the "i" button on the remote. But it should be in the app as well. Sound quality is thoroughly impressive and immersive The Samsung Q990F's main selling point is its high-end sound quality with an impressive 756W of total power. And it doesn't disappoint. From the moment I turned the system on and pressed play on "Dune II," I was impressed. The subwoofer offered plenty of rumble, and the rear speakers instantly engulfed me in a sand-filled soundscape. When watching movies, tires screeched with piercing clarity, and bullets fired with pointed sharpness. I cycled through the soundbar's different audio modes, such as Surround, Standard, and Adaptive Sound, to find the best option for my tastes. I was satisfied with each for different uses, but the nuances are there for those who care. Dolby Atmos support is another big draw of the Q990F, as this feature allows the soundbar to simulate audio effects coming from above your head. You can learn more in our Dolby Atmos guide. In this regard, the system performed beautifully. I ran through movies like "Ready Player One," "Top Gun: Maverick," and other titles with fun immersive scenes, and loved what the soundbar offered. All the drivers worked in conjunction to create a dome of audio, drawing me into the movies. The Q990F's subwoofer has been tweaked compared to previous models, as this new version has a more compact, sealed design that's built to reduce rattle. Though I couldn't directly compare it to the older ported subwoofer, I certainly like this new one's smaller size. Plus, it still packs a full-throttle punch. I didn't find the need to tweak any EQ settings when watching movies, but if you do, you can likely squeeze out even more oomph to shake your decor or annoy your neighbors. The Q990F also supports Samsung's SpaceFit Sound Pro feature, which adapts the audio to your room's physical dimensions. There's no lengthy configuration process needed, and instead, you simply toggle it on and off in the SmartThings app. I noticed a slight difference in the audio performance, but not enough to be strict about turning it on. My living room is a rectangle without any odd reflections, so there's not much for it to adapt to. But to my ears, this feature did offer slightly tighter sound with less reverberation. There are a few other audio tricks that you can perform using the SmartThings app. For instance, in the advanced sound settings, you can activate "Moderate Bass," which turns the subwoofer off and lets the main soundbar handle all low-frequency duties. Apartment dwellers might find this useful. There's also a "Private Rear Sound" function in the Surround Speaker Setup section. This option diverts all audio to the rear speakers, so sound playback is (theoretically) closer to the person or people sitting between the two rears. The sound quality wasn't anything special in this mode, but it does make for a neat way to watch TV after the kids have gone to bed. Like previous Q990 soundbars, this model supports Samsung's Q-Symphony feature, which uses a compatible Samsung TV's speakers in concert with the Q990F. I've always been a bit torn about Q-Symphony as a concept. After all, people are buying a soundbar to get better speakers than the small ones in their TVs, so why would I want to still use those? In practice, though, the feature doesn't distract from what the soundbar provides. However, I'm not sure that my Frame TV added anything worthwhile, audio-wise, to the experience. The Q990F is also great for music, and it doubles as a smart speaker As much as the Q990F is a powerhouse for watching movies and TV shows, it's also a good general-purpose soundbar for listening to music and other living room tasks. For example, it ticks nearly all the boxes for wireless playback, including Bluetooth, WiFi, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect. I had no problems linking it to my iPhone through all of those protocols. I also used the Apple Music app on my Apple TV streaming player to play Dolby Atmos spatial music, and it sounded terrific. Whether you find spatial music gimmicky or not, I like that the Q990F has so many connection methods. It's easy to AirPlay a playlist to the speaker while you make dinner, for example. The Q990F also has built-in support for Amazon Alexa, so you can use voice controls and access digital assistant functions. Should you buy the Samsung Q990F soundbar? The Samsung HW-Q990F is a fantastic high-end soundbar. It's a complete surround sound system in a box that delivers a thunderous clash of sound to any living room. For people who want a full home theater experience without having to piece together multiple speakers and a receiver, this is an obvious choice. It comes with all the components you need and doesn't overcomplicate things. However, the Q990F's convenience doesn't come cheap. The soundbar has a full retail price of $2,000 but is often on sale for around $1,700. That's not unreasonable for what you get, but it's still a big chunk of change. And though this system is more compact than a full-sized speaker setup, it's still a decent size commitment with a separate subwoofer and two satellite speakers. As such, it's not ideal for smaller apartments. It's also important to remember that the 2024 Q990D and 2023 Q990C are still available for less money, though it's not clear how long inventory will last. Given recent discounts, the Q990C in particular is a fantastic deal, and it's still Insider Reviews' pick for the best soundbar value overall. That said, the Q990F does have some upgrades over the Q990C, including a more compact, refined subwoofer and HDMI 2.1 support. If you're looking for a premium Dolby Atmos soundbar solution with those features in mind, the Q990F is an excellent option. best Dolby Atmos soundbars and best surround sound systems.
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
This audio device is my favourite way to listen to music - and it's dropped to its lowest ever price for Prime Day
Over Prime Day I like to keep watch to see which of my favorite devices gets reduced during the sale. And, this year, we're in for a treat — my most adored device of the last year or so, the Wiim Ultra streamer, just reached a brand new lowest price in the sale. The Wiim Ultra is now just $263 at Amazon, thanks to a massive $70 discount. That's the lowest I've ever seen the device — now let me tell you why I love it so much, and why you need to add one to your whole home streaming environment. The Wiim Ultra is a relatively inexpensive way of getting music streamed over some powered speakers or an older stereo system. I loved testing the Wiim Ultra, and this new lowest price makes it a whole lot easier to slip one into your listening center. I know I'll be buying another. Or maybe another two... or three... Wiim has long made some of my favorite devices. The first devices that let me stream music to my then aging HiFi system were Wiim units, connecting up to the WiFi and then playing my streams directly to my speakers. The Wiim Ultra does all this and more. There's a very powerful DAC inside for one, so those digital tracks from the best music streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz sound extra good when I play them. Then there's the extra features on top. There's a subwoofer out if your amp doesn't have one for some extra low-end, a mode which lets you tune the sound of your HiFi system to your room, and even a phono pre-amp in case neither your turntable or your speakers have one. You can even plug your TV into it, so that you can play your movies over an older pair of speakers that lack eARC compatibility. It's my absolute favorite device of the year — and it looks like only the upcoming Wiim Amp Ultra is going to dethrone it from the top spot. This deal makes it a whole lot more tempting as well — if you want to add streaming to an older audio device that has an RCA connector or even a 3.5 input, this is the device to pick up. There are plenty more deals to be had this Prime Day — make sure you check out our Prime Day live blog to make sure you're staying on top of all the latest sales and offers.
Mint
04-07-2025
- Mint
Acer V Pro 55 review: Big screen, bold looks, and budget brilliance in 4K
The Acer V Pro 55 slots into that sweet spot where most people are hunting a big screen, decent feature set, and a price that doesn't punch too hard. I've had it running in my bedroom, a medium-sized space, for a month now. I wasn't expecting miracles, as Acer TVs usually play it safe, but this one managed to surprise me in subtle, satisfying ways. Right out of the box, it feels solid without being bulky. It's light enough to mount easily (though you'll have to buy the wall mount separately). Bezels are slim but not invisible, but never distracting. The body doesn't scream premium, but it doesn't cheap out either. With the TV wall-mounted, port access is easy, but placing it on a table pushed against a wall might make reaching them a hassle. In a room with two bright LED bulbs, medium brightness was more than enough. No washed-out scenes, even with lighter content. The default picture profile leans neutral, which can feel a bit dull at first, but the presets are easy to toggle and offer immediate contrast. No blooming, no crushed blacks, and no light bleed. It was a big relief at this price point. I watched a mix of YouTube HDR content and OTT shows, and while this isn't a top-tier QLED, certain high-quality content pieces come close in how they pop. Volume goes comfortably up to 85 without distortion in a medium room. Sound modes include Music, Movie, News, and Standard, all of which actually make a difference. Dialogue clarity holds up well, but if you're running a fan and AC together, it struggles below volume 20. For the bedroom, the built-in speakers are enough. In a larger space like a living room, you'll want an external soundbar to hear clearly. Running on Google TV, the interface is clean, responsive, and easy to set up. I didn't face any app crashes, only minor delays when my Wi-Fi got patchy. Voice search handled Indian accents without fuss, and the setup flow even lets you preload your favourite apps. No bloatware, no pushy ads, just a neat, ready-to-go layout. You get 2 HDMI ports here. eARC is only available on 4K UHD models, so that's something to keep in mind. I paired it with a soundbar via HDMI, and it worked without any drama. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi performance was stable and quick to connect and held strong during use. This isn't a gaming-first TV, but for casual sessions, it does the job. I plugged in my laptop and ran a few rounds of Rocket League and F1. It's responsive in most cases, but you can feel it lag slightly during intense sequences. There's no high refresh rate support, and you'll need to manually enable Game Mode, it doesn't detect automatically. Presets like Standard, Movie, Vivid, and News are actually usable and all bring something different to the table. I didn't feel the need for any deep calibration. If you want plug-and-play simplicity, this one's built for it. The remote is minimalist with just the essentials, nothing more. Boot-up is quick, switching between apps or sources is smooth, and I didn't run into any system-level hiccups. That absence of ads and bloatware really adds to the experience. It's the kind of device that blends into your day without getting in the way. Acer V Pro 55 review For what it offers, the Acer V Pro 55 hits a strong value mark. Would I recommend it? Definitely. For someone looking for a no-fuss 4K smart TV that performs where it counts. It won't blow your mind, but it won't let you down either. Pros Cons Crisp 4K panel with decent HDR handling No wall mount in the box No lags or crashes in daily use Slight lag in gaming-heavy scenes Good audio for smaller rooms No eARC unless you opt for UHD models Google TV is smooth and bloat-free Great value for price
Tom's Guide
29-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I review TVs for a living and most people spend too much on HDMI cables — here's what you really need
I've been testing TVs for over a decade, and in that time, I reckon I've answered more questions from friends and readers about HDMI cables than about TVs themselves. If you search for HDMI cables on Amazon, you might get the impression that the results go on forever. It's no wonder that folks are confused. But I'll let you in on a secret: While there's no shortage of pricey cables, you don't need to spend a lot on these things. I mean, sure, you should avoid cheap, flimsy cables that'll likely need to be replaced in short order, but you shouldn't overspend, either. Here's what you need to know. There are two types of HDMI specifications found on today's TVs: HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1. The latter is a newer spec that allows for better audio support, higher refresh rates and additional gaming enhancements like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Affordable TVs tend to offer HDMI 2.0, while high-end models — including most of the best TVs on the market — are equipped with a full slate of HDMI 2.1-compatible ports. Mid-range TVs often come with both. If you own an entry-level TV, or one from several years ago, there's a very good chance it doesn't support HDMI 2.1. If you're planning on buying (or already own) a mid-range or high-end TV, at least two of its HDMI inputs are likely 2.1-compatible. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Folks in the first group can safely settle for Premium High-Speed HDMI cables. Forget all the jargon, though. Instead, just look for sturdy cables from a reputable brand with the following bandwidth: 18 Gbps. 18 Gbps will support everything your TV has to offer. It supports HDR and allows gamers to enjoy 4K titles at 60Hz (though not 120Hz). It'll work with whatever you've decided is the best streaming device for your living room. It has its limitations, but if you're sticking a small-ish TV in a guest bedroom with nary a soundbar, you'll be fine. These 18-Gbps, High-Speed HDMI cables come in a pack of two for around ten bucks. If you're a casual viewer using an affordable TV that only supports HDMI 2.0 functionality, these are a good place to start. People who own a mid-range or high-end TV — especially those released in recent years — ought to avoid Premium High-Speed HDMI cables limited to 18 Gbps if they want to make the most of their TV's HDMI 2.1's perks. These perks include a host of gaming features (like playing 4K games at 120Hz or above), but there are audio-related perks to consider, too, like eARC support. (You can read more about that in our guide to ARC and eARC.) Folks who find themselves in this group should buy Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables with a bandwidth of 48 Gbps. 48 Gbps is enough to make the most out of a TV's HDMI 2.1-related capabilities. If you bought your TV (or plan on buying one) in part because it supports things like 4K gaming at 120Hz or eARC functionality, just make sure that the cables you pick up are 48 Gbps. These 48-Gbps, Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables from Monoprice are affordable, braided for additional durability and capable of supporting your new TV's A/V- and gaming-related features. Personally, I wouldn't spend more than this on Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables. You will not see a difference in picture quality between a gold-plated cable and a basic cable. Take it from someone who's been drowning in cables for years: You really don't need to get fancy with these things. For home viewers, the advantages of silver-, bronze-, or gold-plated cables are primarily aesthetic. You will not see a difference in picture quality between a gold-plated cable and a basic cable if they're rated for the same features. Now, you might decide that a braided cable feels more sturdy, or you might just appreciate how the look of a more premium cable blends in with the rest of your A/V equipment. If you feel comfortable spending up on these options, by all means, indulge. Just don't expect to get a better picture. When shopping for new HDMI cables, consider the following: cable length, bandwidth and the sturdiness of the materials. Is your TV limited to HDMI 2.0 inputs? Buy 18-Gbps HDMI cables. Does your TV support HDMI 2.1-related features that you'd like to use? Buy 48-Gbps cables. Are you unsure about what HDMI-related features your TV supports? Play it safe and stick to Ultra-High Speed, 48-Gbps HDMI cables. They're not that much more expensive, and in the worst-case scenario, you'll have better, more capable cables to use in the future.
